Nearly 7,000 sign petition seeking end to MPs’ health insurance
Under the Majlis e-petition rules, petitions that receive at least 2,100 signatures must be debated by MPs and considered as a priority matter.
An e-petition calling for an end to state-funded health insurance benefits for members of Parliament has received nearly 7,000 signatures.
The petition, submitted to the People’s Majlis by Midhuam Saud, founder of the Aammunge Jamiyya and a social media activist, had received 6,997 signatures, with six days remaining for signatures to be collected.
Under the Majlis e-petition rules, petitions that receive at least 2,100 signatures must be debated by MPs and considered as a priority matter. The petition has therefore passed the threshold required for parliamentary consideration.
The petition raises concerns over health insurance provided to serving MPs and their spouses and children under the age of 18, as well as health insurance benefits available to former MPs for life.
According to the petition, about MVR 100 million has been spent on health insurance premiums for MPs. It argues that expenditure will continue to increase because former MPs remain eligible for the insurance scheme for life.
The petition also argues that providing MPs with health insurance benefits beyond those available to the general public, using public funds, is unjustified.
It further claims that a review of the world’s 10 largest economies found no country that provides former MPs with lifetime health insurance.
Health insurance benefits for MPs are provided under the Parliamentary Privileges and Powers Act.
Under provisions covering financial benefits, MPs, their spouses and children under the age of 18 are to be enrolled in a medical insurance scheme providing access to treatment in the Maldives, SAARC countries and ASEAN countries.
The law also provides former MPs with medical treatment under a health insurance scheme similar to that available to serving MPs.
The petition was submitted as Parliament was considering expanding the health insurance packages available to MPs. A committee meeting held to examine the issue was closed to the public on the grounds that the matter concerned benefits provided to MPs.
The petition calls for the existing state-funded health insurance arrangements for MPs to be discontinued.
